Method and apparatus for processing bandwidth intensive data streams using virtual media access control and physical layers

ABSTRACT

A wireless networking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includes an application layer associated with one or more applications having a wireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resource associated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The first wireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to a first actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resource associated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. The second wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availability up to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates the wireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidth availabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processing layer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion of each of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC and virtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wireless bandwidth requirement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/468,509 filed Sep. 7, 2021, titled “Method and Apparatus forProcessing Bandwidth Intensive Data Streams Using Virtual Media AccessControl and Physical Layers”, which claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/039,660, filed Jul. 19, 2018, titled “System andMethod For Extending Range and Coverage of Bandwidth Intensive WirelessData Streams”, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,115,834, which claims the benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/526,799, filed Oct. 29, 2014, titled“System and Method For Extending Range and Coverage of BandwidthIntensive Wireless Data Streams”, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,034,179, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.61/897,219, filed Oct. 30, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. 61/897,216, filed Oct. 30, 2013, all of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure herein relates to wireless networks, and morespecifically to high-bandwidth wireless networks for distributingmulti-media content.

BACKGROUND

Wireless networks may take many forms, depending on the application.Various WiFi standards exist where users within range of a “hotspot” mayestablish a wireless link to access a given network. A given hotspot, orwireless access point, typically has a limited range and coverage area.WiFi and cellular technologies rely on very different wireless radiosand data protocols in transferring data over the network.

With the proliferation of multi-media content over wireless networkscomes an insatiable demand for more bandwidth over the networks.Conventional wireless networking architectures fail to provide adequateresources to efficiently provide optimum range and coverage for wirelessnetwork users, and fail to take full advantage of the resourcesavailable to satisfy the desire for more bandwidth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and notby way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and inwhich like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a virtualization mode and an actualmode for processing wireless signals.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of steps employed in one embodiment of amethod of operation of the system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates how a virtual MAC and virtual PHY are coordinated tomanage actual MAC and PHY layers.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the system of FIG. 2 manages signal processing bydetermining which resources are available.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate alternative ways to manage one embodiment ofa variable-duplex link.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a variable duplex link that isconfigurable to manage transmit and receive process cycles, includingpreset process cycle configurations of different types.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a system for wirelessly extendingrange of a wireless network linearly from one access point to another.

FIG. 8 illustrates a wireless management system that utilizes a virtualMAC and virtual PHY to wirelessly and adaptively manage and controlmultiple radios in a given wireless access point.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of steps for one embodiment of a methodof wirelessly accessing a wireless network, consistent with the systemsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 10A-10C illustrate embodiments of a system for wirelessly extendingrange of a wireless network radially from one access point to otheraccess points.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of multiple wireless managementsystems that cooperate to allocate transceiver resources between users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of wireless networking systems, wireless transceivers andassociated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a wirelessnetworking system is disclosed. The wireless networking system includesan application layer associated with one or more applications having awireless bandwidth requirement. A first wireless transceiver resourceassociated with an actual MAC layer and PHY layer is employed. The firstwireless transceiver resource has a first bandwidth availability up to afirst actual bandwidth. A second wireless transceiver resourceassociated with the actual MAC layer and the PHY layer is employed. Thesecond wireless transceiver resource has a second bandwidth availabilityup to a second actual bandwidth. A processing layer evaluates thewireless bandwidth requirement and the first and second bandwidthavailabilities of the wireless transceiver resources. The processinglayer includes a bandwidth allocator to allocate at least a portion ofeach of the first and second actual bandwidths to virtual MAC andvirtual PHY layers, and to satisfy the application layer wirelessbandwidth requirement.

In a further embodiment, a method of a method of operating a wirelesstransceiver system is disclosed. The wireless transceiver systemincludes an application layer, actual MAC and PHY layers, and aprocessing layer between the actual MAC and PHY layers. The methodincludes evaluating, with processing logic, application bandwidthrequirements of applications associated with the applications layer. Avirtual MAC layer and a virtual PHY layer are defined between theprocessing layer and the actual MAC and PHY layers. A bandwidthallocator allocates multiple wireless transceiver resources in theactual MAC and PHY layer to be controlled by the virtual MAC and PHYlayer to satisfy the application bandwidth requirements. A stream ofprocessed data is transferred via a wireless link with the allocatedwireless transceiver resources.

In yet another embodiment, a wireless transceiver for coupling to awireless duplex link is disclosed. The wireless transceiver includesprogrammable storage, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmittercouples to the programmable storage and transmits data along a wirelesslink during a first portion of a programmed data transfer cycle. Thereceiver couples to the programmable storage and receives data from thewireless link during a second portion of the programmed data transfercycle. The wireless link exhibits an asymmetric transmit/receive profilebased on information stored in the programmable storage.

Referring to FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a wireless networking system,generally designated 100, is shown in an abstract “layer” context.Generally speaking, the system may involve a WiFi network, a mobilewireless network, or a combination of the two. The network includes anapplication layer “APP”, at 102, with one or more data-intensivesoftware applications “APP A”— “APP D.” The individual applications, forexample, may have different peak bandwidth requirements in terms of datatransfer rates. Thus, for instance, application APP A may have a peakbandwidth requirement of 450 Megabits per second (Mbps), whileapplication APP D may have a peak bandwidth requirement of 750 Mbps.

Further referring to FIG. 1 , the application layer 102 cooperates witha process layer, at 104. The process layer includes a decision block 106that interfaces with a processing block 108. The decision blockdetermines the size and type of data stream being received, and the typeof processing necessary to put the stream in a format where it iscapable of being transmitted. The processing block processes the datastream as determined by the decision block, and couples to anultra-streaming block 110. The ultra-streaming block manages theprocessing of signal streams or sub-streams given the availableresources (memory, processing speed, number of available radios, etc.),and packetizes sufficiently processed streams or sub-streams. Theultra-streaming block feeds data to and from an RF block 112. While notexplicitly shown in FIG. 1 , the ultra-streaming block carries out amonitoring function, more fully described below, that feeds backwireless resource availability to the decision block 106. Various waysfor determining availability of resources include common memory, hostinterfaces, common threads, and/or queues or other data structures.

The decision block 106, processing block 108 and ultra-streaming block110 together form a virtual MAC layer 111. The RF block 112 forms avirtual PHY layer. As more fully described below, the virtual MAC andPHY layers enable simultaneous allocation of multiple PHY resources fordifferent signal types associated with different applications. As aresult, the wireless networking system 100 exhibits significantperformance improvements and efficiency advantages.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , the wireless networking system 100includes an actual media access control (MAC) layer, at 114, and anactual physical (PHY) layer, at 116. The actual MAC layer 114 generallyincludes software resources capable of controlling one or moretransceiver resources 118 that are at the actual PHY layer, such asvarious radios and receivers. The actual PHY layer 116 may includemultiple transceiver resources corresponding to multiple radios, eachwith an actual data transfer capability, or bandwidth.

The actual PHY layer transceivers may transmit and receive dataconsistent with a variety of signal protocols, such as High DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) consistent with the IEEE 802.11 Standard,Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO), standard Wi-Fi physical control layer(PHY) and Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and existing IP protocols.Additionally, extremely high bandwidth applications such as Voice OverIP (VOIP), streaming audio and video content, multicast applications,convergent and ad-hoc network environment may employ signal protocolsconsistent with the wireless network system described herein.Additionally, the wireless networking system may be employed and/orembedded into a variety of electronic devices, including wireless accesspoints, base stations, handhelds, tablets, computers, telephones,televisions, DVD players, BluRay players, media players, storagedevices, or any such devices that use wireless networks to send andreceive data including stand-alone add-on devices such as “dongles” thatserve as wireless interfaces between devices.

In operation, and referring to FIG. 2 , the wireless networking systemgenerally determines an overall wireless bandwidth demand or requirementfrom one or more applications associated with the application layer 102,at 202. FIG. 1 illustrates one example, with Application A demanding apeak bandwidth of 450 Mbps, and Application D requiring a peak bandwidthof 740 Mbps. At 204, the process layer 104 determines availableresources in the actual MAC and PHY layers 114 and 116, and allocatesthe available resources to satisfy the bandwidth demands, at 206.

Using the same example shown in FIG. 1 , and assuming that all of thePHY transceivers are available, each PHY transceiver 118 is capable ofproviding a transmit/receive bandwidth of 300 Mbps. Grouping the entirebandwidth of one transceiver with half the bandwidth of a secondsatisfies the bandwidth demand for Application A. In a similar manner,allocating the bandwidths of two transceivers, and half the bandwidth ofa third transceiver satisfies the bandwidth demand for Application D.The allocating is managed by defining the virtual MAC/PHY layers 111 and112 with the allocated resources, at 208.

FIG. 3 illustrates how, in one embodiment, elements associated with theprocess layer 104 can define a virtual MAC management layer 302 and avirtual PHY layer 304 to enable the sharing of multiple transceiverresources in a way sufficient to satisfy the bandwidth requirements ofmultiple applications running simultaneously. The virtual MAC and PHYlayers manage signals from one or more applications before sending thesignals to the actual MAC and PHY layers. The virtual MAC managementlayer 302 may include the decision block 106, the processing block 108and the ultra-streaming block 110. The virtual PHY layer 304 may includethe RF block 112, shown as multiple RF blocks to denote the virtual useof two sets of allocated transceiver resources. For one embodiment, theRF block(s) communicate directly with the ultra-streaming block aboutactual resource availability, and the ultra-streaming block sends theinformation back to the decision block in the virtual MAC layer.Alternatively, the virtual PHY RF block may directly communicate withthe virtual MAC decision block and/or the processing block.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , defining the virtual MAC and PHY layers 302and 304 involves an evaluation of available transceiver resources tomeet peak bandwidth demands of applications running in the applicationlayer. One or more applications, such as “Application A” and“Application B”, may be initially supported with transceiver resources“Device 1” and “Device 2” through an initialization or training processat startup. The virtual MAC 302 interfaces with the virtual PHY 304 todetermine device availability. This further involves a determination atthe PHY layer as to the actual availability of the initially assignedtransceiver resources. Should a given resource be unavailable, such asthrough insufficient bandwidth or having an existing assignment, areplacement resource may be identified and assigned. Availabilitymonitoring may be carried out at initialization, as described above, orthrough periodic or continuous updating based on environmentalconditions or through random on demand programming. Adaptively managingthe actual resources provides efficient utilization of resources andpower.

For one embodiment, the virtual MAC 302 and virtual PHY 304 may beemployed to control respective transmit and receive times (also referredto as an RF cycle) for a transceiver coupled to a variable duplexwireless link. FIG. 5A illustrates a way of ensuring an RF cycle thathas a transmit time equal to a receive time, such that a first amount ofdata is transmitted along a given link that is equal to a second amountof data that is received along the link. A physical resource PHY 502,such as a wireless transceiver, is shown coupled to a transmit buffer504 and a receive buffer 506. By providing transmit buffer storage thatis equal to the receive buffer storage, the amount of data transmittedduring both portions of the cycle is equal (since the transceivergenerally transmits and receives the entire contents of a given bufferbefore switching to the next portion of the cycle).

While equal transmit and receive portions of the RF cycle may bebeneficial in some circumstances, allocating different PHY resources fordifferent applications, as described above, may benefit from asymmetricwireless links, where the transmit or receive times may be different tooptimize wireless data traffic. FIG. 5B illustrates one embodiment of avariable duplex link that includes a transmit buffer 504 that is largerthan a receive buffer 506. A programmable register 508 provides a way tospecify the storage capacities of each of the buffers, thus enablingcontrol of the respective transmit and receive time. In anotherembodiment, the programmable register may include storage to specifyprecise transmit and receive times for the RF cycle in addition to, orinstead of varying the buffer sizes. For some embodiments,sub-programmable mask intervals may be programmed which disable a giventransmitter or receiver during the pre-programmed transmit or receivetime.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the wireless networking system,described above, utilizing the variable duplex link to optimize uplink(transmit) and downlink (receive) data transfer efficiency for a givenapplication. As shown in FIG. 6 , a decision block 602 associated with avirtual MAC 604 detects application types, APP A and APP B, for which apreset transmit/receive cycle ratio has been assigned. A processingblock 606 processes the substream signals together with the preset cycleratio information. A virtual PHY 608, configures available devices tothe preset cycle ratio in terms of either configuring transmit andreceive buffer sizes, and/or configuring actual transmit and receivecycle times.

The virtual MAC and PHY layers 604 and 608 may also be used toreconfigure, or update, the RF cycle times of the link periodically orcontinuously. Additionally, random on-demand programming may be employedto reconfigure the link. By monitoring parameters associated with thelink, a predictive model of optimal link operation may be adaptivelygenerated, resulting in enhanced link operability.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments describedabove enable wireless networking systems to operate at higher levels ofperformance and with better efficiencies. By employing a virtual MAC andvirtual PHY between an application layer and an actual MAC and PHYlayer, wireless transceiver resources may be allocated more efficientlyto handle various data bandwidth requirements from differentapplications. Additionally, by selectively employing a variable duplexlink, data transfers may be further optimized through finer control oflink transmit and receive times.

When received within a computer system via one or more computer-readablemedia, such data and/or instruction-based expressions of the abovedescribed circuits may be processed by a processing entity (e.g., one ormore processors) within the computer system in conjunction withexecution of one or more other computer programs including, withoutlimitation, net-list generation programs, place and route programs andthe like, to generate a representation or image of a physicalmanifestation of such circuits. Such representation or image maythereafter be used in device fabrication, for example, by enablinggeneration of one or more masks that are used to form various componentsof the circuits in a device fabrication process.

Further embodiments of wireless networking systems, wirelesstransceivers and associated methods are disclosed herein. In oneembodiment, a wireless networking system is disclosed. The systemincludes a first wireless access point having a first coverage area. Thefirst wireless access point includes a first wireless transceiver toaccess a wireless network and a second wireless transceiver coupled tothe first wireless transceiver. A second wireless access point has asecond coverage area. The second wireless access point includes a thirdwireless transceiver for establishing a wireless link with the secondwireless transceiver, and a fourth wireless transceiver coupled to thethird wireless transceiver to provide user access to the wireless link.User access to the wireless link accesses the wireless network via thesecond and first wireless transceivers.

In a further embodiment, a method of providing wireless network accessto a user is disclosed. The method includes accessing a wireless networkwith a first wireless transceiver associated with a first wirelessaccess point. The first wireless access point has a first coverage areabounded by a range of a first broadcast transceiver associated with thefirst wireless access point. Wireless access to the wireless network isenabled within the first coverage area with the first broadcasttransceiver. A wireless link is established between the first wirelessaccess point and a third wireless transceiver associated with a secondwireless access point. The second wireless access point has a secondcoverage area bounded by a fourth wireless transceiver. The fourthwireless transceiver is in communication with the third wirelesstransceiver. Access to the wireless network from within the secondcoverage area is enabled via the fourth wireless transceiver.

In yet another embodiment, a wireless access point for use in a wirelessnetworking system, the wireless access point includes a first wirelesstransceiver to establish a wireless link to a wireless network. A secondwireless transceiver provides wireless access to the wireless linkwithin a first coverage area. A third wireless transceiver establishes awireless link to a second wireless access point. Processing logiccontrols each of the first, second and third wireless transceivers.

Referring to FIG. 7 , one embodiment of a wireless networking system isshown, generally designated 610, that increases the range of wirelessnetwork access. The wireless networking system 610 includes multiplewireless access points, or nodes, 612A-612E. The nodes may be positionedlinearly, such as in serial or wirelessly daisy-chained arrangement, tolinearly extend wireless network access across multiple access pointcoverage zones. A similar embodiment that extends coverage radially isdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 10A-10C.

With continued reference to FIG. 7 , for one specific embodiment, node612A includes multiple radios A1 and A2. Radio A1 is configured as areceiver/transmitter (transceiver) that exhibits a wireless transceiverrange, denoted by the circle at 614, to receive and transmit signals toa network, such as the Internet 615. Note that for purposes of clarity,each node is shown in FIG. 7 as having a range defined by the range ofone of the radios. Radio A1, while acting as a receiver/transmitter(often referred to herein as a transceiver) is also able to broadcastand receive signals within its coverage area to users that are in thearea 614, thereby serving as a wireless access point for that area. UserU1 thus may access the Internet via radio A1. Radio A1 also communicateswith a relay radio A2, which may be disposed near the periphery of therange 104 of radio A1. Relay radio A2 has a similar range as radio A1,and is able to communicate with radio B1 that is associated with node612B. For some embodiments, the relay radio (such as radio A2) for agiven node is assigned to one or more dedicated transceivers (such asB1) associated with respective adjacent nodes. Additionally, in general,the transceivers of a given node can communicate to any of thetransceivers available in adjacent nodes.

Further referring to FIG. 7 , node 612B includes three radios, one toestablish communication with radio A2 of node 612A, a second radio B2 toact as a relay to a third node 612C, and a third radio B3 to act as awireless access point to a second user U2 within the node 102B. Thethird node 102C includes a first radio C1 to communicate with the secondradio B2 of the second node 612B, and a second radio C2 to providewireless access to a third user U3 within the access coverage area ofthe third node 612C. Thus, with communication links established from theInternet to radio A1, to radio A2, to radio B1 to radio B2 to radio C1and to radio C2, the user U3 is able to access the Internet wirelesslyeven though the distance between the user U3 to the first wirelessaccess point A1 exceeds the coverage or range of radio A1.

Each node 612A-612C described above, may be configured differentlydepending on the available resources and bandwidth demands. Thus, agiven radio may handle multiple tasks to receive and broadcastsimultaneously, if the bandwidth demands are relatively low, or handle asingle task, such as relay radio A2, if the bandwidth demandnecessitates the need for additional wireless transceiver resources.

To manage the allocation and configuration of wireless transceiverresources, each node employs a management system, such as one embodimentshown in FIG. 8 , and generally designated 710. The management systemsfor multiple nodes thus forms distributed logic that cooperate toefficiently manage bandwidth utilization for users. Further details ofthe management system for a variety of applications are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 9,788,305, titled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSINGBANDWIDTH INTENSIVE DATA STREAMS USING VIRTUAL MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL ANDPHYSICAL LAYERS, filed Oct. 29, 2014, and expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

Further referring to FIG. 8 , one specific embodiment of the managementsystem 710, is shown in a networking “layer” context. Generallyspeaking, the wireless management system may be configured for couplingan available transceiver resource to a WiFi network, a mobile wirelessnetwork, or a combination of the two. The management system 710 includesan application layer “APP”, at 712, with one or more data-intensivesoftware applications “APP A”-“APP D.” The individual applications, forexample, may have different peak bandwidth requirements in terms of datatransfer rates. Thus, for instance, application APP A may have a peakbandwidth requirement of 450 Megabits per second (Mbps), whileapplication APP D may have a peak bandwidth requirement of 750 Mbps.

Further referring to FIG. 8 , the application layer 712 cooperates witha process layer, at 714. The process layer includes a decision block 716that interfaces with a processing block 718. The decision blockdetermines the size and type of data stream being received, and the typeof processing necessary to put the stream in a format where it iscapable of being transmitted. The processing block processes the datastream as determined by the decision block, and couples to anultra-streaming block 720. The ultra-streaming block manages theprocessing of signal streams or sub-streams given the availableresources (memory, processing speed, number of available radios, etc.),and packetizes sufficiently processed streams or sub-streams. Theultra-streaming block feeds data to and from an RF block 722. While notexplicitly shown in FIG. 8 , the ultra-streaming block carries out amonitoring function, more fully described below, that feeds backwireless resource availability to the decision block 716. Various waysfor determining availability of resources include common memory, hostinterfaces, common threads, and/or queues or other data structures.

The decision block 716, processing block 718 and ultra-streaming block720 together form a virtual MAC layer 621. The RF block 722 forms avirtual PHY layer. The virtual MAC and PHY layers enable simultaneousallocation of multiple PHY resources for different signal typesassociated with different applications. Transceiver configurations maybe applied at initialization of the system, periodically during normaloperation, or randomly on demand during operation. As a result, the mostefficient path for wireless access between a given user and the wirelessnetwork is paved. The wireless networking system 710 thus exhibitssignificant performance improvements and efficiency advantages.

With continued reference to FIG. 8 , the wireless management system 710includes an actual media access control (MAC) layer, at 724, and anactual physical (PHY) layer, at 726. The actual MAC layer 724 generallyincludes software resources capable of controlling one or moretransceiver resources 728 that are at the actual PHY layer, such asvarious radios and receivers. The actual PHY layer 726 may includemultiple transceiver resources corresponding to multiple radios, eachwith an actual data transfer capability, or bandwidth.

The actual PHY layer transceivers may transmit and receive dataconsistent with a variety of signal protocols, such as High DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI) consistent with the IEEE 802.11 Standard,Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO), standard Wi-Fi physical control layer(PHY) and Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and existing IP protocols.Additionally, extremely high bandwidth applications such as Voice OverIP (VOIP), streaming audio and video content, multicast applications,convergent and ad-hoc network environment may employ signal protocolsconsistent with the wireless network system described herein.Additionally, the wireless management system may be employed and/orembedded into a variety of electronic devices, including wireless accesspoints, base stations, handhelds, tablets, computers, telephones,televisions, DVD players, BluRay players, media players, storagedevices, or any such devices that use wireless networks to send andreceive data including stand-alone add-on devices such as “dongles” thatserve as wireless interfaces between devices.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart that shows generic steps carried outduring operation of the wireless networking system of FIG. 7 . At 812,the first node 612A (FIG. 7 ) accesses a wireless network, such as theInternet 615, with a first radio or transceiver A1. A second transceiverA2, establishes a wireless link with the first transceiver A1, at 814.The second transceiver may then act as a relay to establish a furtherlink with a radio in a different node, such as radio B1 in node 612B.The wireless network may then be accessed through the different node612B via the wireless link (between radios B1 and A2) and the firstaccess point, at 816. By employing a plurality of transceivers at eachof the nodes that run the Ultra Streaming engine to allocate theiravailable resources, either at initialization as configurable, or whilein operation periodically, or dynamically in random demand while inoperation, the most efficient path for wireless access is accomplished.This results in increased range and coverage for a given wirelessnetwork, and it's Internet access.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a further embodiment of a wireless networkingsystem, generally designated 910, that is similar to the system of FIG.7 , but configured with various nodes 912A-912G that are positioned in arelative manner to extend coverage radially, rather than linearly. Eachof the nodes includes a wireless management system, such as that shownin FIG. 8 and described above.

Further referring to FIG. 10A, a first node 912A includes radios A1-A7,with radio A1 acting as an originating access point for a local networksignal, such as the Internet 915. The remaining radios A2-A7 may then beconfigured to communicate with specified adjacent nodes. The adjacentnodes have respective coverage zones that overlap the primary node 912Aradially outwardly. Thus, by encircling the primary node with the othernodes, the corresponding coverage area may be increased dramatically.

FIG. 10B illustrates one configuration where radio A1 acts as theoriginating radio to communicate with the local wireless network, andradio A2 communicates the network signal as a relay with radios B2 andC2 of nodes 912B and 912C. Radios B1 and C1 of each respective nodebroadcast wireless access to users within the respective coverage zones,bounded by coverage rings 914 and 916 associated with each respectivenode 912B and 912C. Similar arrangements are managed with radio A3communicating with radios D2 and E2, and radios A4 and A5 communicatingwith F2 and G2, respectively. To optimize coverage radially, the nodes912B-912G are positioned radially around the primary node 912A in ahoneycomb structure. The resulting coverage boundary, represented by thecoverage circle 408, is significantly larger than the originating accesscoverage area (represented by ring 410) provided by the broadcast radioassociated with node 402A by itself.

FIG. 10C illustrates different assignments of the radios in the wirelessnetworking system of FIG. 10A managed by the wireless management system910 of each node 912A-912G. The assignments and radio configurations maybe defined and managed during an initialization process, periodicallyduring operation, or randomly on demand depending on the bandwidthdemands of the system. Thus, if bandwidth demands are higher in nodes912B and 912C, then instead of sharing the bandwidth of radio A2 withnodes 912B (radio B2) and 912C (radio C2), such as the arrangement ofFIG. 10B, dedicated relay radios A2 and A3 may be assigned to each ofthose nodes so that maximum bandwidth may be provided to each, resultingin radio A2 communicating with radio B2 and radio A3 communicating withradio C2 (FIG. 10C).

For some embodiments, whether the wireless networking system isconfigured as a linear or radial architecture, there may be multipletransceivers assigned to a wireless node, and each node may havemultiple transceivers assigned to a given user. FIG. 11 illustrates howmultiple wireless management systems cooperate to efficiently allocatetransceiver resources in such a situation. A first node managementsystem 962 may control transceiver resources A1 and A2 within a firstnode. A second management system 964 may control transceiver resources B1, B2, and B3. The management systems 962 and 964 communicate with eachother to determine the optimal resource allocation to service respectivelocal users, at 958 and 960.

Thus, for the example shown in FIG. 11 , the first local user 9587within the coverage of the first node may need bandwidth that may besufficiently provided by transceiver A1 alone. The second local user960, positioned within the vicinity of both the first and second nodes,may be assigned transceiver A2 from the first node, and transceiver B2from the second node, thereby having access to twice the bandwidth.Other examples may involve partial transceiver allocations, where aportion of the transceiver bandwidth is allocated to a first user, and asecond portion of the bandwidth allocated to a second user.

In some embodiments, a given wireless link may be configured as avariable duplex link. Each wireless management system may task thevirtual MAC and virtual PHY to control respective transmit and receivecycles for one or more of the wireless transceivers. Varying thetransmit and/or receive times may be accomplished in various ways, suchas through programmable buffer resources and/or through programmabletransmit and receive times. Further detail of such a variable duplexwireless link may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,305, titled METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR PROCESSING BANDWIDTH INTENSIVE DATA STREAMS USING VIRTUALMEDIA ACCESS CONTROL AND PHYSICAL LAYERS, filed Oct. 29, 2014, andexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments describedabove enable efficient wireless access to wireless networking systems byusers that might be outside the range of a single wireless access point.By employing linear and/or radial wireless access system architectures,and configuring available wireless transceiver resources optimallywithin each node, a given wireless network may be accessed with greaterbandwidth and more efficiently.

When received within a computer system via one or more computer-readablemedia, such data and/or instruction-based expressions of the abovedescribed circuits may be processed by a processing entity (e.g., one ormore processors) within the computer system in conjunction withexecution of one or more other computer programs including, withoutlimitation, net-list generation programs, place and route programs andthe like, to generate a representation or image of a physicalmanifestation of such circuits. Such representation or image maythereafter be used in device fabrication, for example, by enablinggeneration of one or more masks that are used to form various componentsof the circuits in a device fabrication process.

In the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawings, specificterminology and drawing symbols have been set forth to provide athorough understanding of the present invention. In some instances, theterminology and symbols may imply specific details that are not requiredto practice the invention. For example, any of the specific numbers ofbits, signal path widths, signaling or operating frequencies, componentcircuits or devices and the like may be different from those describedabove in alternative embodiments. Also, the interconnection betweencircuit elements or circuit blocks shown or described as multi-conductorsignal links may alternatively be single-conductor signal links, andsingle conductor signal links may alternatively be multi-conductorsignal links. Signals and signaling paths shown or described as beingsingle-ended may also be differential, and vice-versa. Similarly,signals described or depicted as having active-high or active-low logiclevels may have opposite logic levels in alternative embodiments.Component circuitry within integrated circuit devices may be implementedusing metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) technology, bipolar technology orany other technology in which logical and analog circuits may beimplemented. With respect to terminology, a signal is said to be“asserted” when the signal is driven to a low or high logic state (orcharged to a high logic state or discharged to a low logic state) toindicate a particular condition. Conversely, a signal is said to be“deasserted” to indicate that the signal is driven (or charged ordischarged) to a state other than the asserted state (including a highor low logic state, or the floating state that may occur when the signaldriving circuit is transitioned to a high impedance condition, such asan open drain or open collector condition). A signal driving circuit issaid to “output” a signal to a signal receiving circuit when the signaldriving circuit asserts (or deasserts, if explicitly stated or indicatedby context) the signal on a signal line coupled between the signaldriving and signal receiving circuits. A signal line is said to be“activated” when a signal is asserted on the signal line, and“deactivated” when the signal is deasserted. Additionally, the prefixsymbol “I” attached to signal names indicates that the signal is anactive low signal (i.e., the asserted state is a logic low state). Aline over a signal name (e.g., ‘

$\overset{\_}{< {{signal}{name}} >}$

’) is also used to indicate an active low signal. The term “coupled” isused herein to express a direct connection as well as a connectionthrough one or more intervening circuits or structures. Integratedcircuit device “programming” may include, for example and withoutlimitation, loading a control value into a register or other storagecircuit within the device in response to a host instruction and thuscontrolling an operational aspect of the device, establishing a deviceconfiguration or controlling an operational aspect of the device througha one-time programming operation (e.g., blowing fuses within aconfiguration circuit during device production), and/or connecting oneor more selected pins or other contact structures of the device toreference voltage lines (also referred to as strapping) to establish aparticular device configuration or operation aspect of the device. Theterm “exemplary” is used to express an example, not a preference orrequirement.

While the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made thereto without departing from the broader spiritand scope of the invention. For example, features or aspects of any ofthe embodiments may be applied, at least where practicable, incombination with any other of the embodiments or in place of counterpartfeatures or aspects thereof. Accordingly, the specification and drawingsare to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method of improving the performance of a wireless networkingdevice, comprising the steps of: connecting an application interface toa processing interface, the application interface being associated witha first application, the first application providing, when the wirelessnetworking device is being used, a first data stream and having a firstwireless bandwidth requirement; connecting first, second and thirdactual MAC interfaces to the processing interface; connecting first,second and third actual PHY interfaces respectively to the first, secondand third actual MAC interfaces; associating first, second and thirdwireless transceivers respectively with the first, second and thirdactual PHY interfaces, wherein each of the first, second and thirdwireless transceivers (i) is suitable for use in a wireless local areanetwork, (ii) has a first, second and third bandwidth availability up tofirst, second and third actual bandwidths, and (iii) is adapted to emitradio waves in first, second and third bands of frequencies, the firstand second frequency bands being different from each other; forming inthe processing interface (i) at least one virtual MAC interface and (ii)first, second and third virtual PHY interfaces that, during operation ofthe wireless networking device, feed information regarding the bandwidthavailabilities of the first, second and third wireless transceivers backto the at least one virtual MAC interface; wherein the processinginterface is configured to, when the wireless networking device is beingused, in a manner transparent to any layer of the wireless networkingdevice above the processing interface, (i) identify at least one portionof each one of the first, second and third actual bandwidths of thefirst, second and third wireless transceivers that are available forcommunication, (ii) select a first one of the first, second and thirdtransceivers that has the most bandwidth available for communication,(iii) prepare the first data stream for transmission to a recipient fromthe first one of the first, second and third wireless transceivers usinga specific subset of frequencies corresponding to the identified atleast one portion of the available bandwidth of the first one of thefirst, second and third wireless transceivers, and (iv) cause theprepared first data stream to be transmitted from the selected wirelesstransceiver during a first time period to thereby at least partiallysatisfy the first wireless bandwidth requirement of the firstapplication, the first time period being repeated during operation ofthe wireless networking device; wherein the processing interface isconfigured to, when the wireless networking device is being used, in amanner transparent to any layer of the wireless networking device abovethe processing interface, (i) identify at least a portion of bandwidthavailable for communication of a second one of the first, second andthird wireless transceivers to receive a data stream transmitted fromthe recipient during a second time period, the second time period beingrepeated during operation of the wireless networking device, (ii)receive the data stream transmitted to the wireless networking devicefrom the recipient utilizing a specific subset of frequenciescorresponding to the at least one portion of the bandwidth available forcommunication of the second one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers; wherein the wireless networking device's utilization ofthe available bandwidth of the first one of the first, second and thirdwireless transceivers does not prevent other wireless networking devicesfrom utilizing a range of frequencies corresponding to the remainingportion of the bandwidth availability of the first one of the first,second and third wireless transceivers for data transmission orreception purposes at the same time that processed data is being sentfrom the first one of the first, second and third wireless transceivers;and wherein the wireless networking device's utilization of theavailable bandwidth of the second one of the first, second and thirdwireless transceivers does not prevent other wireless networking devicesfrom utilizing a range of frequencies corresponding to the remainingportion of the bandwidth availability of the second one of the first,second and third wireless transceivers for data transmission orreception purposes at the same time that processed data is being sentfrom the first one of the first, second and third wireless transceivers.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual PHY interface is notcontiguous with the virtual MAC interface.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the second virtual PHY interface is not contiguous with thevirtual MAC interface.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the thirdvirtual PHY interface is not contiguous with the virtual MAC interface.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual PHY interfaceincludes an RF block.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondvirtual PHY interface includes an RF block.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the third virtual PHY interface includes an RF block.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the virtual MAC interface includes a decisionblock.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual MAC interfaceincludes a processing block.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thevirtual MAC interface includes an ultra-streaming block.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the processing interface comprises multiple virtualMAC interfaces.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the processinginterface includes a bandwidth allocator.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one portion of the bandwidth available forcommunication of the first one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers comprises a single portion.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one portion of the bandwidth available forcommunication of the first one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers is contiguous.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one portion of the bandwidth available for communication of thesecond one of the first, second and third wireless transceiverscomprises a single portion.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one portion of the bandwidth available for communication of thesecond one of the first, second and third wireless transceivers iscontiguous. 17-18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst time periods do not overlap in time with the second time periods.20. (canceled)
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first,second and third frequency bands are specified in at least one member ofthe family of IEEE 802.11 standards.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinthe at least one member of the family of IEEE 802.11 standards was inexistence as of Oct. 30,
 2013. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein thewireless networking device comprises a first wireless access point. 24.The method of claim 23, wherein the first wireless access point isconfigured to, during operation of the first wireless access point, (i)provide access to the internet within a first coverage area and (ii)establish a wireless link to a second wireless access point that has asecond coverage area and a processing interface; and wherein theprocessing interfaces of the first and second wireless access points areconfigured to, during the operation of the first and second wirelessaccess points, communicate with each other regarding at least one aspectof operation of the first wireless access point.
 25. The method of claim24, wherein the aspect of operation of the first wireless access pointcomprises aggregation of the bandwidth availabilities of the first,second and third wireless transceivers of the first wireless accesspoint in a virtual link.
 26. The method of claim 1, wherein theapplication interface is associated with a second application, thesecond application providing, when the wireless networking device isbeing used, a second data stream and having a second wireless bandwidthrequirement; wherein the processing interface is configured to, when thewireless networking device is being used, in a manner transparent to anylayer of the wireless networking device above the processing interface,(i) prepare the first and second data streams for simultaneoustransmission to the recipient from the first one of the first, secondand third wireless transceivers-using a specific subset of frequenciescorresponding to the identified at least one portion of the availablebandwidth of the first one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers, and (ii) cause the prepared first and second data streamsto be simultaneously transmitted from the first one of the first, secondand third wireless transceivers to thereby at least partially satisfythe first and second wireless bandwidth requirements of the first andsecond applications.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein, if theidentified at least one portion of the bandwidth of the first one of thefirst, second and third wireless transceivers becomes unavailable duringuse of the wireless networking device or if the first one of the first,second and third wireless transceivers has an unidentified portion ofbandwidth availability that is greater than the identified at least oneportion of bandwidth availability of the first one of the first, secondand third wireless transceivers-during use of the wireless networkingdevice, the processing interface is configured to, as a result of theunavailability or the increased bandwidth availability and in a mannertransparent to any layer of the wireless networking device above theprocessing interface, (i) identify at least one new portion of thebandwidth of the first one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers that is available for communication and select thatwireless transceiver, (ii) prepare the first and second data streams,without requiring the disassociation of the recipient from the actualMAC and PHY interfaces associated with any wireless transceiver, fortransmission to the recipient from the first one of the first, secondand third wireless transceivers using a specific subset of frequenciescorresponding to the newly identified at least one portion of availablebandwidth of the first one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers, and (iii) cause the prepared first and second data streamsto be transmitted to the recipient from the first one of the first,second and third wireless transceivers, without requiring thedisassociation of the recipient from the actual MAC and PHY interfacesof any wireless transceiver, to thereby continue to at least partiallysatisfy the first and second wireless bandwidth requirements of thefirst and second applications.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein theprocessing interface is configured to, when the wireless networkingdevice is being used, in a manner transparent to any layer of thewireless networking device above the processing interface, evaluate theidentified bandwidth availabilities of the first, second and thirdwireless transceivers with respect to the first and second bandwidthrequirements of the first and second applications; and wherein, if,during operation of the wireless networking device, the first and secondbandwidth requirements of the first and second applications are at leastpartially satisfied by the bandwidth availabilities of two of the first,second and third wireless transceivers, the processing interface beingconfigured to (i) prepare the first and second data streams forsimultaneous transmission to the recipient from the two of the first,second and third wireless transceivers using a specific subset offrequencies corresponding to the identified at least one portions of theavailable bandwidth of the two of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers and (ii) cause the prepared first data stream to betransmitted from the first and second wireless transceivers to therebyat least partially satisfy the first and second wireless bandwidthrequirements of the first and second applications.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the processing interface is configured to, when thewireless networking device is being used, in a manner transparent to anylayer of the wireless networking device above the processing interface,evaluate the identified bandwidth availabilities of the first, secondand third wireless transceivers with respect to the first and secondbandwidth requirements of the first and second applications; andwherein, if, during operation of the wireless networking device, thefirst and second bandwidth requirements of the first and secondapplications are at least partially satisfied by the bandwidthavailabilities of all of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers, the processing interface being configured to (i) preparethe first and second data streams for simultaneous transmission to therecipient from all of the first, second and third wireless transceiversusing a specific subset of frequencies corresponding to identified atleast one portions of the available bandwidth of all of the first,second and third wireless transceivers and (ii) cause the prepared firstdata stream to be transmitted from all of the wireless transceivers tothereby at least partially satisfy the first and second wirelessbandwidth requirements of the first and second applications.
 30. Themethod of claim 27, wherein, if the identified at least one portion ofthe bandwidth of the second one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers becomes unavailable during use of the wireless networkingdevice or if the second one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers has an unidentified portion of bandwidth availability thatis greater than the identified at least one portion of bandwidthavailability of the second one of the first, second and third wirelesstransceivers during use of the wireless networking device, theprocessing interface is configured to, as a result of the unavailabilityor the increased bandwidth availability and in a manner transparent toany layer of the wireless networking device above the processinginterface, (i) identify at least one new portion of the bandwidth of thesecond one of the first, second and third wireless transceivers that isavailable for communication and select that wireless transceiver, and(ii) receive the data stream transmitted by the recipient using aspecific subset of frequencies corresponding to the newly identified atleast one portion of available bandwidth of the second one of the first,second and third wireless transceivers, without requiring thedisassociation of the recipient from the actual MAC and PHY interfacesof any wireless transceiver, to thereby continue to at least partiallysatisfy a bandwidth requirement associated with the data streamtransmitted by the recipient to the wireless networking device.
 31. Themethod of claim 29, further comprising the step of coupling first andsecond buffer memories respectively to the first and second actual PHYlayers, the first and second buffer memories being configured to, duringuse of the wireless networking device, store data prior to its actualtransmission to the recipient via the first and second actual PHYlayers, the capacity of the first and second buffer memories beingprogrammable.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein each of the first andsecond buffer memories comprises a programmable register.
 33. The methodof claim 31, further comprising the steps of: connecting a fourth actualMAC interface to the processing interface; connecting a fourth actualPHY interface to the fourth actual MAC interface; associating a fourthwireless transceiver with the actual PHY interface, wherein the fourthwireless transceiver (i) is suitable for use in a wireless local areanetwork, (ii) has a fourth bandwidth availability up to a fourth actualbandwidth, and (iii) is adapted to emit radio waves in a fourth band offrequencies; and forming in the processing interface a fourth virtualPHY interface that is configured to, during operation of the wirelessnetworking device, feed information regarding the bandwidth availabilityof the fourth wireless transceiver back to the at least one virtual MACinterface.